Hello, let me just give you some info you might frown at. There are delays everywhere on whatever kind of visa applied for. It can be fast, it can be slow; it can be very slow even. A friend of mine whose wife applied for spouse visa waited for over two months AND THEY PAID FOR PRIORITY. YES, THEY DID. The biometrics was on May 2 and visa was granted in July ending. It was for his wife and their months old baby, paid priority for £500+ for each of them on top of the visa fees....

You are right dear. This is from MOVE UP publication:

As you are aware, Move Up’s role in UK travel industry serves to provide UK visa solutions for South African passport holders. Move Up therefore specialises in helping South Africans gain entry clearance, which can be seen as permission to pass through the UK’s border.

Move Up therefore specialize in cases submitted in South Africa that request permission to enter the United Kingdom.

Taking the above into consideration, Move Up deals daily with Pretoria’s team of Entry Clearance Officials (ECO’s). Entry Clearance Officials work for the UK’s Department of Visas and Immigration.

ECO’s are the appointed decision makers in UK visa applications. Their role is to assess visa applications and to decide whether to award permission to enter the UK or not.

Yesterday, Ryan Rennison, Director of Move Up, had a rare discussion with one of Pretoria’s ECO’s. For now we will refer to her as Tanya.

This discussion revealed further insight in terms of the UK visa process in South Africa.

Two important aspects were raised:

The first is that the UK’s Department of Visas and Immigration are experiencing a global increase in visa submissions. This increase of visa submissions is therefore not unique to South Africa but is being experienced globally.

The weakening Pound is a strong contributor to foreigners finding travel to the UK being less costly.

The second aspect is that the ECO’s budgeted allowance of workforce was based on the previous years performance. This allocation is being exceeded which means that ECO’s are now in a position where their work load has dramatically increased, however their work force has not (yet).

“We have noticed that there has been an increase in appointment availability in the last week. Prior to this, there was a delay in appointment availability of at least 1 week. We assumed that the increase of availability meant that the seasonal increase of work load was now managed?” Asked Ryan.

To which Tanya concluded that the increase of appointment availability does not mean that the work load has decreased on their end. The increase in appointment availability is due to an online system function to cater for the higher demand.

This means that ECO’s are now making provision for higher amount of applications to be received.

Given that Tanya did not specifically address Pretoria’s workload, we assume that the Department of Visas and Immigration are making plans to increase the number of visa officials involved in the decision making.

It would not make sense for them to increase the amount of applications allowed to be received without increasing the amount of decision makers.

The conclusion we are left to draw is that Pretoria’s ECO’s are faced with a high demand of visa applications.

Recent changes to the Settlement visas legislation is also putting strain on their decision making process.

Move Up has experienced delays in processing times to all visa categories.

Non-expedited visitor visas are experiencing an average 4 week processing time (19 working days), as opposed to 2016’s average of 3 weeks (15 working days). Expedited visitor visas are experiencing an average of 8 working days processing time, 2016’s average processing time was 3 working days. Non-expedited Ancestry visas are experiencing 4 week processing time (20 working days), the average processing time in 2016 was 3 weeks (12 working days). Non-expedited Settlement visas are experiencing the largest delay. A lot of current cases are being put on hold until the new legislation is up. At this stage, 4 month processing time is expected opposed to 2016’s average of 3 months. Expedited Settlement visas are experiencing 6 week processing time (double that of 2016’s average).

This insight therefore serves to help create awareness of any future applicants, looking to apply for UK visas in the remainder of 2016, that the process is delayed.

Further to this, we encourage all South African travelers (leisure or immigration cases) not to make any paid for travel arrangements. Paid for flights for example, is not a visa requirement.

Applicants should first prioritize their visas before they consider making any concrete travel plans. (COPIED)

Good evening everyone I have few questions I would love to ask. *1 tuberculosis test result will be expiring 24th November and am planning to submit application Early October cos am still waiting for ielts and the result should be out by then hope the tuberculosis test result won't pose as a threat as it's gonna be expiring soon?*2 am under 18 and applying for uk settlement visa and it's asking for how many years I plan on staying in the application and I don't know what I should fill in there.3*the application is asking for my occupation but am only out of sec school 2yrs ago and if I fill in student its gonna ask for name of institution and course of study but am currently enrolled in a computer training centre. *4 I wrote 2 jamb after leaving sec school but I never gained admission with it can I add the results as supporting documents*5 please house I need list of all documents needed for the application both from me and from my dad .N:b my dad is a British citizen.Thanks house

Hello house, I received a msg from my bank saying international transaction declined due to insufficient funds 3days(I noticed money was yet to be deducted before the three days )after making a call to ukvi office for escalation. What is the consequence of this? Should I top up the account so it can be deducted/if I dnt,will this affect my application process?

Hello everyone.Please I my mum was denied her visit visa on the ground that her account funds were inconsistent and without proof, of which she included source and other documents supporting the funds (may be TLS didn't scan that �).She wants to reapply:1. How soon can she do that?2. This time she will be applying with my dad who will fund both their trip, what documents does she need to provide? Their reason for visit is to see my sister and her baby3. They will be staying with my sister who lives in the UK?Please your contributions will be greatly appreciated.

This is a note of appreciation to everyone on this platform who at one time or the other gave their advise or words of encouragement. Submitted at VAC on the 27th of July with mum and sister; who got their visa 3 wks after application.At 5:20pm yesterday received the mail that my passport was ready.I jet to Ikeja at 10am, with palpitations. I could not open the package till I got back to work. At work, I entered the toilet and locked myself inside, where I struggled to throw open the bag. After so much hassle, the bag was open, I saw my passport, checked into the bag for any other thing, I didnt see any thing. I opened my passport, flip through the pages, and saw nothing, I started sweating. Meanwhile my sister told me if they refuse me that I will get a white paper letter. I CHECKED THE FLOOR TO SEE IF THE PAPER PERHAPS DROPPED WHILE i WAS TEARING THE BAG, NOTHING O. Ha, My hands were already shaking, I then shook my passport, flipped the pages again, one small paper just dropped from it. I was like ha, after everything, refusal noni, I hissed, braced myself up to read the reason for refusal. But to my surprse, the paper read IMPORTANT NOTICE! PLEASE READ CAREFULLY THE INFORMATION ON YOUR VISA BEFORE....... Na so I jump o, I THEN calmly opened my passport and saw, the stamp o, with my pix taken at the VAC. 180 DAYS, C-VISIT, MULTI..BLABLA...

My people, I thank urna wellwell. You guys actually help me thru the ordeal. I lamented a lot during the wait cos I am not a patient person, and I read where some are still waiting 3 months for their visa. I cant imagine waiting that long, I might just faint.But this UKVI people are good people ooo, their head is correct, I look forward to do more biz with them in the future (Did I just change my mouth..lol)

In between, guys how do I get a really cheap airline, for less than 250k to London.

Tiyanya:This thread has been helpful, I got my passport today with a visa stamp, ***First time, account balance of 63k, but my company is sponsoring... Just do your best and pray. Thanks everyone for your contribution...

Pls i was in UK for Seven days and came back on June 2nd. My visa is still valid and i dnt want to use the six months visa again. It will expire come nobermber 4th. Now i want to apply for two years. First i went on vacation and now i want to go for business visit or conference. I want to know which category of visa am to apply? Thank u

I am planning to travel to the U.K on holiday on September 27th. I have a long term visitors visa so that's fine. However, I had long since planned to do a course at the end of October (Oct 30) after my holiday, that lasts 20 days however I recently found out that I have to get a short-term study visa.

However, when you look at the UK.Gov website, it says that you can study for up to 30 days on standard visitors visa. I've included a screenshot of the relevant section.

According to that I can't just go there with the purpose of doing the course. Well I'm going on a two week cruise, then visiting friends for two weeks before the course, and it made sense to tag the course on this trip to avoid buying flight tickets twice.

So what should I do? Assuming I have to get a visa, does anyone know if you can do priority with short term study visas in Lagos?

I am planning to travel to the U.K on holiday on September 27th. I have a long term visitors visa so that's fine. However, I had long since planned to do a course at the end of October (Oct 30) after my holiday, that lasts 20 days however I recently found out that I have to get a short-term study visa.

However, when you look at the UK.Gov website, it says that you can study for up to 30 days on standard visitors visa. I've included a screenshot of the relevant section.

According to that I can't just go there with the purpose of doing the course. Well I'm going on a two week cruise, then visiting friends for two weeks before the course, and it made sense to tag the course on this trip to avoid buying flight tickets twice.

So what should I do? Assuming I have to get a visa, does anyone know if you can do priority with short term study visas in Lagos?

If your visa would still be valid and in date until after the course, you do not need any other visa. I don't know who gave you the conflicting info. However do not mention the course at POE. That screenshot is to make new applicants aware of the immigration rule whilst considering the relevant visa for them.

I am planning to travel to the U.K on holiday on September 27th. I have a long term visitors visa so that's fine. However, I had long since planned to do a course at the end of October (Oct 30) after my holiday, that lasts 20 days however I recently found out that I have to get a short-term study visa.

However, when you look at the UK.Gov website, it says that you can study for up to 30 days on standard visitors visa. I've included a screenshot of the relevant section.

According to that I can't just go there with the purpose of doing the course. Well I'm going on a two week cruise, then visiting friends for two weeks before the course, and it made sense to tag the course on this trip to avoid buying flight tickets twice.

So what should I do? Assuming I have to get a visa, does anyone know if you can do priority with short term study visas in Lagos?

If the course will not lead to a degree or diploma certificate. You can use your visitor visa so far it will be valid for the duration of your visit/course.

highway04:Pls i was in UK for Seven days and came back on June 2nd. My visa is still valid and i dnt want to use the six months visa again. It will expire come nobermber 4th. Now i want to apply for two years. First i went on vacation and now i want to go for business visit or conference. I want to know which category of visa am to apply? Thank u

To the glory of God Almighty and thanks to you guys here. I got my 2 yrs visa .I am a silent reader here. Put in application for 2 yrs uk visa on the 15th of August. Got the usual application received mail and preparation for consideration by ECO mail on 24th August. Exactly after 21 working days, Tls sent the usual messages. Got the visa yesterday. Issued on 31st of August. No escalation or whatever.Wish all those waiting a speedy response and successful outcome.

Teepee85:To the glory of God Almighty and thanks to you guys here. I got my 2 yrs visa .I am a silent reader here. Put in application for 2 yrs uk visa on the 15th of August. Got the usual application received mail and preparation for consideration by ECO mail on 24th August. Exactly after 21 working days, Tls sent the usual messages. Got the visa yesterday. Issued on 31st of August. No escalation or whatever.Wish all those waiting a speedy response and successful outcome.

I'm trying to invite my dad over to the UK for 2 months, I'll be sponsoring his trip as he's retired. He has previously visited the UK but was denied US visit visa a couple of years ago. Can you guys help clarify the points below?

- I have £2k in a savings acct and will send my savings bank statement to him, unable to send my current acct as I don't leave money there. Is it advisable to state I'll be supporting his trip in the range of £1500-£2000 as this means I'm ready to use all the money in the savings acct, do you reckon the eco won't find an issue with this? - is £2k enough for 2 months?- I transferred about 200k into his savings late June, thinking of printing his statement after that transaction so we don't have to explain source or do I need to add a note that I transferred this to him?- I'll state in the invitation letter that he currently lives with my Mum and 2 of my siblings with their Children lives in the same city with him and they are planning his 69th birthday upon his return. home country ties?

oluwatobilobami:Good evening everyone I have few questions I would love to ask. *1 tuberculosis test result will be expiring 24th November and am planning to submit application Early October cos am still waiting for ielts and the result should be out by then hope the tuberculosis test result won't pose as a threat as it's gonna be expiring soon?*2 am under 18 and applying for uk settlement visa and it's asking for how many years I plan on staying in the application and I don't know what I should fill in there.3*the application is asking for my occupation but am only out of sec school 2yrs ago and if I fill in student its gonna ask for name of institution and course of study but am currently enrolled in a computer training centre. *4 I wrote 2 jamb after leaving sec school but I never gained admission with it can I add the results as supporting documents*5 please house I need list of all documents needed for the application both from me and from my dad .N:b my dad is a British citizen.Thanks house

I'm trying to invite my dad over to the UK for 2 months, I'll be sponsoring his trip as he's retired. He has previously visited the UK but was denied US visit visa a couple of years ago. Can you guys help clarify the points below?

- I have £2k in a savings acct and will send my savings bank statement to him, unable to send my current acct as I don't leave money there. Is it advisable to state I'll be supporting his trip in the range of £1500-£2000 as this means I'm ready to use all the money in the savings acct, do you reckon the eco won't find an issue with this? - is £2k enough for 2 months?- I transferred about 200k into his savings late June, thinking of printing his statement after that transaction so we don't have to explain source or do I need to add a note that I transferred this to him?- I'll state in the invitation letter that he currently lives with my Mum and 2 of my siblings with their Children lives in the same city with him and they are planning his 69th birthday upon his return. home country ties?

You can't send only Savings Account if you want to provide full sponsorship. You need your current account (or any other acct your salary is paid into) as there is where your salary goes into, I suppose. Your need statements from an account your salary goes into to tally with your supplied payslips. They need to see there is a regular inflow of your salary. Also include your savings account and explain your situation in your sponsorship/invite letter. You can't use up all your savings in sponsoring when you said your current account is nil, if you try it VISA WILL BE REFUSED. ECO will consider your own financial circumstances and outgoings and see if your finances will allow taking care of any other person without recourse to public funds.

You need to provide evidence of your relationship with your dad. Include your birth certificate where your dad's name is clearly written. Also include communication evidence to clear doubts. This could be call logs. You must establish this relationship if you are the one hosting your dad. SU07, a lot of people might think it's not necessary; but I will advise you to include it.

How does your sponsorship letter confirm your dad didn't break any immigration laws? Are you banking on what you write in the letter? Passports are electronic now and they can remotely know if any laws were broken. What documents do you have for accommodation, sponsorship letter? No way. You need tangible evidence, rental agreement or whatever...

oluwatobilobami:Good evening everyone I have few questions I would love to ask. *1 tuberculosis test result will be expiring 24th November and am planning to submit application Early October cos am still waiting for ielts and the result should be out by then hope the tuberculosis test result won't pose as a threat as it's gonna be expiring soon?*2 am under 18 and applying for uk settlement visa and it's asking for how many years I plan on staying in the application and I don't know what I should fill in there.3*the application is asking for my occupation but am only out of sec school 2yrs ago and if I fill in student its gonna ask for name of institution and course of study but am currently enrolled in a computer training centre. *4 I wrote 2 jamb after leaving sec school but I never gained admission with it can I add the results as supporting documents*5 please house I need list of all documents needed for the application both from me and from my dad .N:b my dad is a British citizen.Thanks house

1. Still ok if you applied before it expires.

2. Did that question give you options?

3. Put the name and the address of the computer training centre

4. I'm not sure that is needed, school certificate result will be better

Riribliss:Hello everyone.Please I my mum was denied her visit visa on the ground that her account funds were inconsistent and without proof, of which she included source and other documents supporting the funds (may be TLS didn't scan that �).She wants to reapply:1. How soon can she do that?2. This time she will be applying with my dad who will fund both their trip, what documents does she need to provide? Their reason for visit is to see my sister and her baby3. They will be staying with my sister who lives in the UK?Please your contributions will be greatly appreciated.

1. She can reapply anytime

2. This question has been asked and answered far too many times here please read back for list of documents needed for tourists visa application.

I'm trying to invite my dad over to the UK for 2 months, I'll be sponsoring his trip as he's retired. He has previously visited the UK but was denied US visit visa a couple of years ago. Can you guys help clarify the points below?

- I have £2k in a savings acct and will send my savings bank statement to him, unable to send my current acct as I don't leave money there. Is it advisable to state I'll be supporting his trip in the range of £1500-£2000 as this means I'm ready to use all the money in the savings acct, do you reckon the eco won't find an issue with this? - is £2k enough for 2 months?- I transferred about 200k into his savings late June, thinking of printing his statement after that transaction so we don't have to explain source or do I need to add a note that I transferred this to him?- I'll state in the invitation letter that he currently lives with my Mum and 2 of my siblings with their Children lives in the same city with him and they are planning his 69th birthday upon his return. home country ties?

Your docs are perfect . Your statement of account is also good. You can reduce the amount budgeted for the trip to £1.5k . It's is more than enough since you are accommodating him.

It's is important you add your banks statement that shows your salary entries which tallies with your payslip.

The SU07 is fine you can add it , you also need utility bill to back that up. You need nothing more . As per advisecyou got here Don't explain your financial circumstance unless you are not in active employment in which case you should not even be thinking to sponsor a trip.. All the evidence of relationship stuff is abit over top... it's ur retired parent applying for just a visit visa!!!, he has also been to the UK. Before. My mum who is also retired doesn't even add bank statements. Just pension authority and she has never had issues with visas!. Having said that it shouldn't discourage you from adding his bank statements since you have it.